Mount Zion Baptist Church, Cary, N.C.

Posted November 30, 2009

Established in 1865, the congregation had occupied a previous facility since 1918 when they embarked on a building program to replace it at a new site. Completed in March 2008, the plan is based on a multipurpose sanctuary equipped with removable seating for 538, which allows the flexibility for it to serve not only formal religious services off a fixed stage equipped with A/V system controls,but also for casual fellowship gathering, musicals and drama presentations. Additionally,the 17,500-square-foot (1,626-m2) facility features a commercial-scale kitchen and considerable office space. The use of Butler Manufacturing's Widespan structural system, MR-24 standing-seam metal roof system and extensively glazed masonry walls with EIFS accents showcase the compatibility of metal systems with conventional materials. The building incorporates 4 inches
(102 mm) of insulation in the roof assembly and 3 inches (76 mm) in the wall cavities. The current facility will be converted to a gym, after a later phase builds a large sanctuary dedicated to worship services, while still allowing for future expansion on the 7-acre
(3-hectare) site.